Thread: J. Elliots Improved Silver Steel stubtail

I wasn't going to post this razor, but I couldn't find any examples in the first few search pages that were this old. So I figured I ought show it off. I've done a very mild restoration/customization on it. I soaked the scales in neatsfoot for a few days, removed some very large rust patches, sleeved the pivot pin, added bearing washers, and used SS washers and nickel silver rod for pins. Unfortunately the pitting is too deep to avoid serious metal removal to make it disappear. And since the razor itself shows a little age, I also didn't sand the scales to perfectly perfect again either. Someday, long from now, I may take it apart again, but I like to think this was a tasteful way to finish the razor. I figure for a razor this old, it's alright for it to show a little age. Thanks for looking. Feel free to comment on what you might have done differently, or better. Or just tell me if ya like it.

Scratch that remark about there not being one this old in the search pages...I was searching best silver steel.

Holy crap...it's a Rodgers...somebody smack me.

I do like it when old razors look like old razors. I have one that was my great grandfathers that still sports it's age. How old is yours?

From a very cursory search, I came across some posts written by Neil Miller, and Martin103, that indicates a likely manufacture date of 1822-1830. The reasons being that it says Cutlers to His Majesty, and the word England is not on the tang. I was guessing 1830, so I'm pretty happy overall. Thanks for posting.

And there's one of the Elliot, just to show I'm not completely incompetent.

Nice find. Silver steel is on my list of things to find.

Justin, what a great find, i really like that razor shape, curvy, thick spine,stub tail, wedgy, and the facts that you didnt bring it to a mirror finish is very appealing to me its old, with some pits but its got patina and many shaves left in it, Enjoy and thanks for sharing!

And clearly deserving a spot in the stub tail club!

Well I'm a little confused now. According to what I find in Goins, this razor can't be as old as it appears to be. Goins actually doesn't have an exact match for the tang stamp my razor sports. I need some further clarification. Does anybody have any thoughts?

The entire tang stamp is: Joseph Rodgers & Sons
Cutler's to His Majesty
No. 6 Norfolk Street.
Sheffield

with a blade stamp of: Improved Silver Steel

I don't know if there is an age difference between "Silver Steel", "Best Silver Steel", and "Improved Silver Steel". And also according to Goins, there should be an E crown R, if it was made between 1820 to 1830, but the next time "His Majesty" was correct was 1901. I can't believe this razor would have been made that recent. As much as I like the way it looks, it's a poor design by 1901 standards. Anybody got any ideas?

You can pretty safely disregard Goins on that.

The more or less iron-clad dating for your razor is 1822-1837. That's the time period when Joseph Rodgers seems to have most liked the 'improved silver steel' stamp, and that variety of square spine with mid-blade stamp went out of fashion (IMHO) by the mid-1830's.

Based on others I've seen, I'd guess it's more like 1825-1830.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

Scratch that remark about there not being one this old in the search pages...I was searching best silver steel.

Holy crap...it's a Rodgers...somebody smack me.

OKay, obviously you are not familiar with the rules of SRP ! Anyone who calls a Joseph Rodgers Improved Silver Steel a Joseph Elliot forfeits the razor to the first moderator who calls him on it ( the rule is in the fine print) I'll PM my address so you can send it to me to avoid further punitive action ......

The fact that it is approaching 200 years of age and still being used for it's original purpose is what i like.